scholarly journals Motherly love curbs harm: maternal effects can modulate sexual conflict

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto García-Roa ◽  
Gonçalo Faria ◽  
Daniel W.A. Noble ◽  
Pau Carazo
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Good Genes ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Offspring Quality ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
The Commons

Strong sexual selection frequently favours males that increase their reproductive success by harming females, with potentially negative consequences for the growth of populations. Understanding what factors may resolve this reproductive “tragedy of the commons” is a key question in evolutionary biology. Studies addressing the evolution of sexual conflict have so far considered direct effects on male and female reproductive success along with indirect genetic benefits (e.g. good genes) to females. Here, we model the evolution of male harm while incorporating male-induced maternal effects on offspring quality. We show that maternal effects can partially align male and female evolutionary interests, fostering cooperation between the sexes and significantly reducing optimal levels of male harm. This finding fits broadly with available evidence across the tree of life, opening a novel avenue to understand the evolution of sexual conflict.

scholarly journals Male and female reproductive success in natural and anthropogenic populations of Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. (Orchidaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Jermakowicz ◽  
Beata Ostrowiecka ◽  
Izabela Tałałaj ◽  
Artur Pliszko ◽  
Agata Kostro-Ambroziak
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Demographic Processes ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Abstract In the presented study, male and female reproductive success was analyzed in relation to the population size, floral display and pollinators’ availability in natural and anthropogenic populations of the orchid Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. Our results indicated significant differences between all investigated populations in parameters of floral display, including heights and number of flowers per inflorescence, as well the number of flowering individuals and their spatial structure. Additionally, populations differed both in male (pollinia removal) and female (fruit set) reproductive success, but only the fruit set clearly differentiated anthropogenic and natural populations. Despite the average flower number per plant being significantly higher in two of the anthropogenic populations, it was not related to the fruits set, which was significantly lower there. Moreover, our preliminary study concerning the potential pollinators of M. monophyllos showed a higher contribution of flies in natural habitats than in anthropogenic ones. Thus, we can suspect that the main factors influencing the level of female reproductive success in M. monophyllos populations are abundance of effective pollinators, as well as flower visitors, which may have resulted in a different level of pollen discounting in populations. Therefore, further studies concerning breeding system and pollination as important forces that shape demographic processes in M. monophyllos populations are necessary. Our results also indicate that suitable conservation methods in M. monophyllos should always include the preservation of potential pollinators, especially in these new, secondary habitats.

scholarly journals Herbivory affects male and female reproductive success differently in dioeciousSilene latifolia

2015 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Litto ◽  
Giovanni Scopece ◽  
Silvia Fineschi ◽  
Florian P. Schiestl ◽  
Salvatore Cozzolino
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Female Reproductive Success ◽  
Male And Female
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